SINGAPORE, July 21 (Xinhua) -- Singapore reported 9,749 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, bringing the total tally to 1,636,109.

Of the new cases, 766 cases were detected through PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests and 8,983 through ART (antigen rapid test) tests, according to statistics released by the Ministry of Health.

Among the PCR cases, 728 were local transmissions and 38 were imported cases. Among the ART cases with mild symptoms and assessed to be of low risk, there were 8,590 local transmissions and 393 imported cases, respectively.

A total of 741 cases are currently warded in hospitals, with 15 cases in intensive care units.

Three deaths were reported from COVID-19 on Thursday, bringing the total death toll to 1,466, the ministry said.